A flyer sent to “Patriot Parents” of incoming ninth-graders at South River High School is calling for a protest of a newly mandated diversity course, calling it a “radical leftist course mandate.”

The flyer — a photo of which was obtained by The Capital and confirmed by school officials — calls on parents to join an email list to try to overturn the mandate, which was passed by the Board of Education last week.

In an 8-0 vote, the board voted to require the course about diversity, inclusion and equity after a number of racist incidents at Anne Arundel schools.

Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said the flyer was placed on the windshields of cars of parents parked at an orientation event Wednesday for eighth-graders who will be ninth-graders at the Edgewater school next semester.

Mosier said officials are aware of the flyer and are discussing whether to address it directly.

He said the course “in no way seeks to impart values on students” as “that is the job of the parent, the family (and) the home.”

The flyer calls the Global Community Citizenship course requirement something “that will dumb down the curriculum, brainwash and indoctrinate our kids to their agenda of globalism, anti-Americanism, and political correctness.”

It also claims the course’s goal is “to EXCLUDE and NOT TOLERATE conservative and patriotic thought.”

“We will not blindly and sheepishly allow our kids to be brainwashed and indoctrinated to radical leftist extremism and political correctness without knowing exactly what is in the curriculum,” the flyer reads.

The email was blacked out in the photo sent to The Capital and no other contact information was available on the flyer itself.

Arundel High School started to pilot its Global Community Citizenship course in 2017 after a petition that invited students to join a white supremacy movement circulated at the school.

Mosier said it “is incredibly unfortunate” the anonymous author did not read materials about the course available online, as the flyer reads, “We have the right to wait for the online version so that we can have access to the course materials alongside our students in order to properly assess it for ourselves.”

According to the school system’s website, about 750 Arundel High students have taken the course over its first three semesters.

Principal Gina Davenport defended the course, saying it’s less about politics and more “a series of activities to know who they are and learn about others in their classroom.”

She said the reception has been largely positive and that it’s led to deeper discussions, including a class where the daughter of a police officer participated in a talk about police brutality.

In an email, Davenport added, “The claim that this class is anti-American is disheartening.”

“Our American Republican is a unique government of the people based on the ability of those people to rationally compromise for the good of ALL in the society,” she wrote. “That is also the basis of this class that is truly about community and communication.”

“I feel like we’ve been pretty transparent about this class,” she said.

Lisa O’Hagan, president of the South River High School parent-teacher organization, said she hadn’t seen the flyer as of Friday.

Mosier said details of the course have been widely available for public access on the school’s website.

“Through real world occurrences and issues, students identify and discuss topics, events, and essential questions relevant to their local community which allow them to understand their role in demonstrating civic virtues,” the school system wrote on the course’s webpage.

The curriculum overview outlines that students will investigate the world beyond their immediate environment; recognize their own and others’ perspectives; exchange ideas effectively with diverse audiences; and translate their ideas and findings into appropriate actions to improve conditions.

Mosier said his office has not fielded any complaints from parents of the students who have already completed the course, and said an additional 250 students are taking it this semester.

Surveillance video provided by Anne Arundel County Police shows a Ford F350 pickup truck backing into a 7-Eleven on Defense Highway in Crofton in an attempt to steal an ATM from the store.

Surveillance video provided by Anne Arundel County Police shows a Ford F350 pickup truck backing into a 7-Eleven on Defense Highway in Crofton in an attempt to steal an ATM from the store.

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Surveillance video provided by Anne Arundel County Police shows a Ford F350 pickup truck backing into a 7-Eleven on Defense Highway in Crofton in an attempt to steal an ATM from the store.

Surveillance video provided by Anne Arundel County Police shows a Ford F350 pickup truck backing into a 7-Eleven on Defense Highway in Crofton in an attempt to steal an ATM from the store.

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On Friday, December 07, 2018 at approximately 12:52 a.m., the Fugitive Apprehension Team assisted by the Baltimore Police Department located Dillon Augustyniak in the 2100 block of Ramsey Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and has been charged for the murder of Steven Wilson with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Theft $1500.00 to under $25,000.00 and Firearm use in a Felony Crime of Violence. The investigation revealed this was a random act of violence with the motive being robbery.

On Friday, December 07, 2018 at approximately 12:52 a.m., the Fugitive Apprehension Team assisted by the Baltimore Police Department located Dillon Augustyniak in the 2100 block of Ramsey Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and has been charged for the murder of Steven Wilson with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Theft $1500.00 to under $25,000.00 and Firearm use in a Felony Crime of Violence. The investigation revealed this was a random act of violence with the motive being robbery.

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D.C. Police release video showing "person of interest" in threats to CAIR the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR said it is taking extra security precautions after seeing the video.

D.C. Police release video showing "person of interest" in threats to CAIR the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR said it is taking extra security precautions after seeing the video.

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Anne Arundel County officials discuss a $550,000 grant awarded to law enforcement by Gov. Larry Hogan to combat gangs.

Anne Arundel County officials discuss a $550,000 grant awarded to law enforcement by Gov. Larry Hogan to combat gangs.